WASHINGTON — On Monday, President Donald Trump made a statement suggesting that the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be terminated if Hamas does not release all hostages it is currently holding in Gaza by midday on Saturday. While Trump expressed his opinions on the situation, he clarified that the ultimate decision would be made by Israel.
In response to Hamas’s announcement regarding a delay in releasing additional hostages—citing alleged infractions by Israel on the three-week-old ceasefire—Trump indicated that the time had come for Israel to insist on the release of all hostages by the stipulated time or consider resuming military action. “If they’re not here, all hell is going to break out,” Trump warned, adding that if the ceasefire continues without the release, “Cancel it, and all bets are off.”
Trump emphasized that Israel holds the final say in this matter, stating, “I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it.” However, when pressed about whether the U.S. would support Israel’s response to Hamas in case the hostages were not freed, he cryptically remarked, “Hamas will find out what I mean.”
These comments followed Trump’s earlier remarks during an interview with Fox News in which he asserted that under his envisioned U.S. stewardship of Gaza, Palestinians would not be permitted to return to the territory, a position at odds with other officials who argued for a temporary relocation of the population. Trump had previously floated an idea to take control of Gaza and turn it into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” During the interview, he firmly answered “No, they wouldn’t” when asked about the possibility of the right to return.
As he pressed Arab nations to accommodate Palestinians from Gaza, who regard the territory as their future homeland, Trump articulated plans to create “safe communities” away from areas ravaged by conflict, describing the situation as a real estate opportunity. “It would be a beautiful piece of land. No big money spent,” he remarked.
Arab leaders have voiced strong disapproval of Trump’s proposal. Trump is scheduled to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday. Both Egypt and Jordan have privately expressed security concerns about welcoming a large influx of refugees, even temporarily, while they remain committed to the long-established two-state solution hopes regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
When queried about his strategy for convincing Abdullah to accept new Palestinian arrivals, Trump expressed optimism that “he’ll take” refugees in addition to other nations. He also suggested the possibility of withholding billions in U.S. aid as leverage if they do not accept the plan. “Yeah, maybe, sure why not,” Trump stated, confirming that he might consider withholding assistance.
His remarks could destabilize the fragile ceasefire that has persisted through 15 months of hostilities. The existing negotiation framework is aimed at providing substantial humanitarian aid and support for civilian reconstruction in Gaza. Following Trump’s comments, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly clarified that Trump only advocates a temporary relocation of Palestinians to facilitate cleanup and reconstruction efforts in the territory.
Regarding the status of remaining hostages, Trump voiced concerns that Hamas may have released those in better condition while many others awaiting release might be severely ill or already deceased. “Based on what I saw over the past two days, they’re not going to be alive for long,” he stated.
In a video message, Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin, parents of slain American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, urged Trump and his team to escalate their efforts, stating that all hostages should be freed this week to end the ongoing conflict. “All 76 hostages out this week,” they proclaimed. They emphasized the urgency of the situation, imploring that prolonging the issue benefits no one in the region.
Previously, Trump did not dismiss the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to secure Gaza, yet he asserted that U.S. funds would not go toward reconstruction, raising significant questions about the direction of his proposals.
Concerning his plans, Egypt has restated its firm opposition to transferring Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank, asserting that such actions threaten the region’s stability. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry declared the necessity for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, highlighting their firm stance on Palestinian self-determination and the right of return for refugees displaced during the 1948 conflict.
A senior official from Hamas expressed ridicule towards Trump’s notions of U.S. control over Gaza, calling them “absurd.” Izzat al-Rishq, from Hamas’s political bureau, criticized Trump’s perspective on the Palestinian issue, asserting that treating it as a real estate transaction is inappropriate and bound to fail. “Our Palestinian people will thwart all transfer and deportation plans,” he warned.
